jewish volunteering network NEWS Issue 6: Spring/Summer 2012

Would you like to empower and support adults with connec ting the Jewish community to volunteering disabilities in developing their skills for employment? is looking for someone with a bit of time and a clean driving license to drive their ‘Nosh on the Rush’ boxes and greeting cards to offi ces in North . You will accompany Kisharon’s adults to replenish their offi ce snack boxes and greeting card stands and collect the Big Society money for the week. ‘Nosh on the Rush’ is going from strength to strength and with your help it Commemorating an – can be taken to the next level. Freedom to Volunteer

Want to campaign and educate others on human rights? Last year in the Pesach edition of this newsletter, much comment was René Cassin is looking for confi dent speakers to present their Human inspirational volunteer centred on the Big Society. Rights Shabbat programme at local synagogues. They are also looking for speakers willing to Minister for Civil Society, promotedIndeed, the and feature discussed article the by basic Nick principlesHurd MP, and speak to school children about human rights. Rest assured they will provide all the speaker It’s hard to believe that the 19th September implications of a Big Society. material and training so that you feel comfortable with the content. 2012 will mark the 10th anniversary of However, the initial enthusiasm for David Cameron’s fl agship idea, created the death of Yoni Jesner z”l, killed in a Do you want to help people remember? back in 2010, has waned. Since last year, evidence for the existence of a bus suicide bombing in Tel Aviv at just 19 The Wiener Library in Russell Square is Britain’s largest and the robust Big Society, such as the level of volunteering and the health of the years of age. Yoni was a truly inspirational world’s oldest Holocaust Memorial Institution. The Library has developed a Young Volunteer voluntary and public sector, has slipped. (See the Bircham Dyson Bell LLP fi gure, and his enthusiasm for volunteering Programme for people aged 16-25 who want to get involved in guiding tours, helping at events, article on the Big Society on Page 3.) allowed him to achieve more in his 19 contributing to the online blog or joining the fundraising team. years than many people do in a lifetime. Arguably however, it is still a fl agship vision of the current Government - Yoni was the driving force behind the a vision of a better UK society which will lead to a more fulfi lled life for many Do you want to be a Trustee? is currently looking for new Trustees. The commitment rejuvenation of Glasgow Bnei Akiva, and people. One of the tenets of a Big Society has been empowerment - Ahada Bereavement Counselling he committed his time to countless more off ering people the opportunity to assume responsibility for their own actions. needed in terms of time isn’t huge – four meetings each year approximately and no experience charitable causes. He has also inspired of counselling is necessary. Knowledge of PR and/or fundraising would be useful, but far more Volunteerin an amazing outpouring of good deeds g is certainly empowering. It gives us the opportunity to do important is enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to get involved with a group that has a great something for somebody else, not because we are compelled to, but because through the Yoni Jesner Foundation’s proven track record and is now expanding into new territory. we choose to. scholarships and through the Yoni Jesner Award, which JVN is now running for a second year. to fi nd out about these and other The motivation to volunt Log on to www.jvn.org.uk e How to apply? The Yoni Jesner Award Scheme encouragesencourages yyoungoung ppeopleeople aagesges 111-141-14 ttoo ccommitommit ttoo 2200 hhoursours ooff vvolunteeringolunteering reminds us that as Jewser and we support were others once is not intrinsic empowered, to Judaism. not free exciting volunteering positions. iinn tthehe JJewishewish aandnd wwiderider ccommunity.ommunity. 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JVN Olympic go Jewish Museum is looking for new volunteers to work in its shop and to show visitors around its historic building. If you are interested in local With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just around JVN is also working in the wider community with LOCOG (the JVN can’t wait for the London 2012 Games to begin. This is history and enjoy meeting new people, the corner, the Jewish community is gearing up for this fantastic London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic the time to volunteer, not only in our community but with this opportunity could be suitable for celebration. JVN is par t of the Jewish Committee for the London Games) and in particular with the Changing Places team. The the whole of Team GB as we host this great global sporting you. If you have teaching experience, the Games (JCLG) and responsible for the Visit Jewish London website team has been creating opportunities to get involved in the event. Museum is also looking for volunteers to w w w.visitjewishlondon.com, which provides an invaluable London 2012 Games, not only near the Olympic Park, but in teach its school learni source of information for foreign and national visitors who are in other local areas of Olympic London. ng programme. London for the Olympics. Friday night Kiddushim, kosher restaurants, For more regional opportunities across the hotels, Jewish museums and London Tours: the site provides We are not, however, the only ones that are doing things for the UK or to register your regional organisation information on anything Jewish relating to the Olympics. Olympics. Maccabi GB, the Jewish community’s leading sports with JVN to fi nd volunteers, provider is supporting a select number of events to help the [email protected] or call 020email 7443 5102 JVN’s focus is on the volunteering and hospitality aspect of the community celebrate London 2012. Maccabi is also putting Games to ensure that people visiting the UK receive a warm Jewish together a unique 2012 calendar of Community Sporting Events welcome! There will also be lots of Olympic-related volunteering for the whole family to celebrate London hosting the 2012 Olympic oppor tunities available – a truly memorable time to get involved. and Paralympics Games. www.jvn.org.uk www.jvn.org.uk 2 SEPTEMBER

Lady Sacks JVN Coff ee Morning Over 30 women enjoyed Lady Sacks’ hospitality and stimulating conversation at JVN’s fi rst Ladies Coff ee Morning at the Chief Rabbi’s House. Norma Brier, outgoing Chief Executive of , was in conversation with Dame Mary Marsh, former Chief Executive of NSPCC and now Director of the Clore Leadership Foundation. Norma - in a deeply engaging exchange - explained that both she and Dame Mary were concerned about recent Government policy regarding its impact on the charity/voluntary sector.

OCTOBEROCTOBER Israeli Paralympics Delegation Visit

JVN was delighted to host the Israeli Paralympics Delegation at the JHub in West Hampstead, as part of its work with the Jewish Committee for the London Games. The meeting was chaired by Frank Weinberg, National Chairman of British Friends of Israel War Disabled (BFIWD). JVN had already helped BFIWD fi nd 10 special volunteers to personally support each Israeli Paralympic athlete at the Games and is working with Magen David Adom and the Delegation to fi nd additional volunteer support for the sailing and rowing contingents. NOVEMBER

European Year of Volunteering Tour

JVN was the only Jewish organisation to be represented at the European Year of Volunteering 2011 London Tour event which was held at Coin Street community centre on the South Bank. JVN was delighted to meet huge numbers of volunteers, as well as Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society, at the event which featured such major national charities as Guide Dogs UK, British Heart Foundation, the Red Cross, Marie Curie and Macmillan - a huge honour for our small charity.

DECEMBERDECEMBER JFS 6th Form Volunteering Fair

JVN was delighted to arrange a very special JFS 6th Form Volunteering Fair with the Jewish Informal Education Programme team. For the fi rst time, every Year 12 student was to sign up to two one-off opportunities to be completed in the coming months. After JVN’s introduction and presentation on the benefi ts of volunteering, over 300 students met with eleven charities - JLGB, , Tikun, Maccabi GB, Kisharon, GIFT, AJR, , Norwood, Mitzvah Day and for the fi rst ever time at any Jewish 6th Form Fair, Jewish Book Week - truly JVN’s volunteer matchmaking in action! JVN ‘Trustee Drive’

In partnership with the Adam Science Foundation and LEAD: Jewish Leadership Excellence and Development, JVN helped host its fi rst Annual ‘Trustee Drive’. The Drive was an opportunity for graduates of the Adam Science Foundation Leadership Programme to meet and match with Jewish communal organisations looking to recruit lay leaders. Over 20 community organisations took part, ranging from large organisations like British ORT and Langdon, to smaller organisations like René Cassin and the Jewish Military Museum, off ering exclusive leadership opportunities for the Alumni. As a result of the Drive, over 75% of the Alumni have taken up a leadership position with at least one of the charities involved.

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www.jvn.org.uk www.jvn.org.ukwww.jvn.org.uk 020 7443 5100 SEPTEMBER Big Society - where is it now?

The government’s Big Society initiative was launched with great fanfare in June 2010. Since A second upcoming development then, the concept has been the subject of intense debate, and much has been written about that will have a noticeable impact what the initiative will actually mean in real terms for charities and the voluntary sector. on organisations such as JVN is the 18 months on; what have been some of the key developments and how ggovernment’sovernment’s ddecisionecision ttoo rreformeform aandnd rremodelemodel tthehe VVettingetting aandnd BBarringarring are these likely to aff ect voluntary organisations and their volunteers? Scheme. The existing scheme, which was set up in September 2009, received much criticism for the additional red tape it created for organisations that rely on volunteers to Perhaps the most signifi cant development of recent months has been the passing of the carry out their work. Following a review the government has committed to scaling back long awaited Localism Bill, which fi nally received Royal Assent to become the Localism the scheme to more practical levels, for example making Criminal Record Bureau checks Ac t on 15 November 2011. The Ac t gives additional rights and powers to communities portable so that individuals will no longer need separate checks by each organisation and individuals to enable them to control and challenge decisions being made at a local they volunteer for. It is hoped that the proposed changes will have a big impact on level. The powers enshrined in the Ac t include the community right to bid (giving local volunteering organisations by reducing the unnecessary bureaucracy and delays that community and voluntar y bodies the power to bid to take over local amenities such as can be such a major barrier to encouraging individuals to volunteer their time. For now, Israeli Paralympics Delegation Visit shops and libraries), and the community right to challenge (giving local groups and the existing regulations remain in place, but it is anticipated that the reforms parish councils the right to express an interest in taking over the running of local public will become law later in 2012. JVN was delighted to host the Israeli Paralympics Delegation at the JHub in West Hampstead, as par t of its work with the Jewish ser vices). Individuals and groups will also have the ability to more readily call Local A concept that has really come into its own over the last year has been that of social Committee for the London Games. The meeting was chaired by Frank Weinberg, National Chairman of British Friends of Israel War Authorities to account regarding spending decisions, ultimately providing greater investment. Broadly speaking, social investment represents the range of ways in which Disabled (BFIWD). JVN had already helped BFIWD fi nd 10 special volunteers to personally suppor t each Israeli Paralympic athlete at accountability and transparency as to how public money is being spent in their local area. individuals and organisations can invest in charities to deliver a combination of social and the Games and is working with Magen David Adom and the Delegation to fi nd additional volunteer suppor t for the sailing and fi nancial returns. It is growing in popularity as a new way for charities to fund their services rowing contingents. Localism forms a key par t of the government’s agenda in building and shaping the Big Society, designed to off er greater power to individuals and communities to have a say and has the potential to open up many new opportunities for charities and voluntary in matters that aff ect them. It is likely that the Ac t will open up new oppor tunities for organisations. 2012 is likely to see many developments in this area. NOVEMBER smaller charities and voluntar y groups, who have a deeper understanding of what their community needs and so are best placed to infl uence how ser vices are run.However, The concept of Big Society and what it really means for the sector has been one of it remains to be seen whether small charities will have the resources the most debated social issues of recent months. Whilst certain initiatives have been to be able to fully take advantage of the new environment, and what welcomed, the topic still polarises opinion, with many believing the concept is lacking support will be available to them should they choose to do so. in focus and remains diffi cult for the general public to grasp. What is clear is that issues such as localism, community engagement and the transfer of ppowerower ttoo llocalocal ccommunitiesommunities wwillill rremainemain hhighigh oonn tthehe aagendagenda iinn 22012.012.

Through driving snow, rain and just a little bit of sun –JVN visits Manchester It was through blizzards, if not hell and high water, that JVN made two visits to Manchester in February and March to support regional volunteering in the UK’s second largest Jewish city.

In February, nearly the entire JVN team met with representatives from organisations including Manchester JSOC, UJIA, The Fed, JLGB, Manchester Jewish Rep Council, Morris Feinmann Home and the wider community in an action-packed and snowy day. The aim of the trip was to discuss Continued from Page 1. the challenges of volunteering in Manchester and consider ways of attracting volunteers and to enable organisations to meet and learn from each other. JVN is also really proud to report a new that this year we also have Building on the meeting – and in distinctly more sunny weather –JVN’s Director Leonie and recordrecord fforor tthehe nnumberumber ooff vvolunteeringolunteering . Regional Development Manager Es Rosen held a series of inter-communal meetings with opportunities on off er representatives from The Fed – the city’s largest social care organisation – Interlink, the organisation serving the needs of the region’s Charedi community and young professionals participating in the It is especially hard to fi nd chances for people of this age group UJIA leadership development programme. to formally volunteer in charitable organisations due to a combination of practical and insurance limitations. However, JVN was delighted to agree to through a combination of JVN’s hard work and the students’ co-partnerco-partner Manchester’sManchest Annual enthusiasm and determination, Yoni Jesner’s legacy lives on, er’s Annual VolunteerVolunteer AAwardswards inin cconjunctiononjunc and large numbers of young people are undertaking essential with the andtion voluntary work and making a diff erence to the world. the Rep Council – a great way If you don’t to celebrate and encourage Because, as Yoni often said to those he inspired: “ volunteering in the city. do it, who will?” you can do! Check out our exciting Check out the back page to see what Regional Volunteering Opportunities on Page 4.

Follow us on: w w w.twitter.com/JVN_org_uk w w w.facebook.com/JewishVolunteeringNetwork w w w.jvnblog.com www.jvn.org.uk www.jvn.org.ukwww.jvn.org.uk 020 74 43 5100 4

Would you like to empower and support adults with Do you want to make an impact in a developing country? disabilities in developing their skills for employment? is looking for someone with a bit of time and a clean driving license to drive their Tzedek is off ering enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers aged 19-29 the amazing opportunity Kisharon to spend two months in Tamale, this summer. Volunteers can work in schools, small ‘Nosh on the Rush’ boxes and greeting cards to offi ces in North London. You will accompany business initiatives which help people out of the poverty cycle and healthcare. On return, Tzedek Kisharon’s adults to replenish their offi ce snack boxes and greeting card stands and collect the volunteers continue to build their skills in their UK home communities for 10 months, sharing money for the week. ‘Nosh on the Rush’ is going from strength to strength and with your help it their knowledge and experiences by organising events and raising awareness. can be taken to the next level.

Can you off er a helping hand? Want to campaign and educate others on human rights? is looking for a volunteer to off er is looking for confi dent speakers to present their Human The Association of Jewish Refugees René Cassin admin support to its Claims and Publicity department for half a day weekly or fortnightly. Rights Shabbat programme at local synagogues. They are also looking for speakers willing to Their friendly offi ces are based in Stanmore and full support and training will be given. speak to school children about human rights. Rest assured they will provide all the speaker material and training so that you feel comfortable with the content.

Want to volunteer your way to paid work? is looking for an admin volunteer for their Do you want to help people remember? Jewish Care in Russell Square is Britain’s largest and the Property Department to work at Amelie House, Jewish Care’s Maurice and Vivienne Wohl The Wiener Library Campus, Golders Green for two days per week. This is an ideal opportunity to become world’s oldest Holocaust Memorial Institution. The Library has developed a Young Volunteer involved with a small team in a friendly department and gain experience of working in an Programme for people aged 16-25 who want to get involved in guiding tours, helping at events, offi ce environment – a great stepping stone for someone seeking paid work. contributing to the online blog or joining the fundraising team.

Are you passionate about fundraising? Do you want to be a Trustee? is currently looking for new Trustees. The commitment One to One, the charity supporting disadvantaged immigrant Ahada Bereavement Counselling families in Israel is looking for a fundraiser who could work in their offi ce or at home, needed in terms of time isn’t huge – four meetings each year approximately and no experience whichever is most suitable! of counselling is necessary. Knowledge of PR and/or fundraising would be useful, but far more important is enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to get involved with a group that has a great Looking for an exciting internship? proven track record and is now expanding into new territory. WIZOuk is looking for an intern for their marketing and communications department. Log on to www.jvn.org.uk to fi nd out about these and other If you are a self-starter, computer literate and able to work as part of a team, get in touch! How to apply? exciting volunteering positions. Would you like to help in a charity supporting disadvantaged children in Israel? British Emunah needs help supporting their growing eBay operation. Help list items Regional for sale each week on eBay, working in a friendly offi ce or from home at a time convenient for you! Training will be given, but basic computer literacy is essential. Or if you like designer clothes or are an antiques expert, your know-how could be put to good use as they also Volunteering need more volunteers to help source goods, pack parcels and to help with collections. Opportunities

Do you enjoy the Arts? Makor, the Centre for Arts, Culture and Entertainment for the Jewish Community in Leeds is looking for an Intern to help with the Leeds International Jewish Performin Arts Festival. g Are you intrigued by Jewish history? Manchester Jewish Museum is looking for new volunteers to work in its shop and to show visitors around its historic building. If you are interested in local history and enjoy meeting new people, this opportunity could be suitable for you. If you have teaching experience, the Museum is also looking for volunteers to teach its school learni ng programme. For more regional opportunities across the UK or to register your regional organisation with JVN to fi nd volunteers, [email protected] or call 020email 7443 5102

www.jvn.org.uk www.jvn.org.uk